GODALMING College welcomed back former student Ben Elton to officially open its new performing arts centre on Thursday.

The comedian and writer, who has been responsible for some of the UK’s best loved sitcoms and musicals, was a pupil at the campus between 1970 and 1975, when it was Godalming Grammar School.

After touring the new £2.7m facilities, which he described as "incredible", Elton said: "How wonderful to see a school I love blossom into such an amazing environment."

The state-of-the-art facilities include six music practice rooms, a recording studio, a music performance hall and a galleried drama studio.

Principal David Adelman said: "The teaching staff at the college work incredibly hard to encourage our students to reach their potential and these outstanding facilities will inspire everyone involved in the performing arts to build on, and even exceed the exceptional standards achieved so far."

He added: "Within the last 18 months our ‘golden triangle of buildings’ - which includes the independent learning centre and sports centre - has transformed the campus and reflects our commitment to improve, still further, on the college’s success."